Opinion

Need health database

After talking to several people, and reading and thinking about it some more, I have concluded that a health database for Spokane County would be very valuable. The two main issues are security and accuracy.

The providers of information for the database, like doctors’ offices, hospitals, emergency rooms, clinics, and even the phone book and utility billing, would need absolute assurance of security and accuracy. I have personally witnessed mistakes by the medical profession. Poor communication and inaccurate information were to blame.

I have also been involved in the creation of a database. I know how well they work. The government has many of us on a database already. A medical database would mean fewer mistakes and lawsuits, which would bring medical costs down.